Being Social Is Food for the Brain

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

A new study has found that people with higher levels of social activity have a lower risk of cognitive decline. So, if you want to keep your brain healthy and your memory strong, it just so happens that attending that dinner party, going to church or visiting some friends can go a long way. Staying social is now clearly one of the best health tips regarding giving your brain a workout to stave off mental decline.

Natural health doesn’t always mean supplements. It can mean doing things that are quite natural, like conversations and laughter. Being social has always been considered good for the brain, but this new study goes a step further to find that it could help prevent or delay the cognitive decline that happens naturally as we age.

Researchers responsible for this interesting bit of health news carefully assessed the situation and came to the realization that being socially inactive can in and of itself trigger cognitive impairment.

The study comprised 1,138 older adults with an average age of 80, who were part of a long ongoing study about chronic conditions related to aging. They each underwent annual tests for medical and neurological health.

They were asked how often in the previous year they had engaged in activities that involve social interaction. It could be going out for dinner, attending sporting events, playing bingo, going on day or overnight trips, doing volunteer work, visiting relatives or friends, or participating in religious groups.

Cognitive function was assessed using a battery of 19 tests for various types of memory (episodic, semantic and working memory), as well as perceptual speed and “visuospatial” ability.

At the beginning, all participants were free of signs of cognitive impairment. But over the next five years, those who were more socially active showed reduced rates of cognitive decline. On average, those who had the highest levels of social activity experienced only one quarter of the rate of cognitive decline experienced by the least socially active individuals.

Why this is the case is not clear from a scientific standpoint. That is for future research to figure out in separating hypotheses from truths. For now, understand that staying social is not only an enjoyable time, but also important for your brain.

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Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventive, or cure for any disease, disorder, or abnormal physical state, nor should it be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor. On any matter relating to your health or well-being—and prior to undertaking any health-related activity—consult an appropriate health professional. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are the opinions of the author. Doctors Health Press and its employees are not responsible for medically unsupervised activities that could be harmful to your health. Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. All of the Doctors Health Press publications come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your newsletter, you can simply cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rated refund on all undelivered issues. For our books and special reports, we will give you a full refund of your purchase price within 30 days of your order. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventive, or cure for any disease, disorder, or abnormal physical state, nor should it be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor. On any matter relating to your health or well-being—and prior to undertaking any health-related activity—consult an appropriate health professional. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are the opinions of the author. Doctors Health Press and its employees are not responsible for medically unsupervised activities that could be harmful to your health. Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. All of the Doctors Health Press publications come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your newsletter, you can simply cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rated refund on all undelivered issues. For our books and special reports, we will give you a full refund of your purchase price within 30 days of your order. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service.